Lampshades



Feb. 20, 1962 3,022,417

R. V. LINDEROTH LAMPSHADES Filed Deo. 6, 1957 FIG2 FIGB Y 3,022,417 Patented Feb. 20, 1962 3,022,417 LAMPSHADES Rodney V. Linderoth, 18 N. Maple, Portville, N.Y. Filed Dec. 6, 1957, Ser. No. 701,018 3 Claims. (Cl. 240-108) This invention relates to lampshades and, more particularly, to collapsible lampshades.

It is 'a primary object of my invention to afford a novel collapsible lampshade having component parts thereof constituted and arranged in a novel and expeditious' manner whereby the lampshade may be sold and shipped in relatively flat -form and may be quickly and easily assembled into an attractive and eiective lampshade.

Another object is to afford a novel lampshade of the aforementioned type which may be readily assembled by the average housewife, or like person, having little or no previous experience in the construction or assembly of lampshades.

Another object of my invention is to afford a novel lampshade embodying a novel body portion.

An lancillary object is to aiord a novel lampshade of the aforementioned type wherein the body portion may embody novel integral latching members for holding the body portion in assembled relation to other parts of the lampshade.

A Ifurther object of my invention is to enable a novel lampshade to be aorded which embodies a body portion, and ring members, with the ring members and body portion constituted and arranged in a novel and expeditious manner.

Another object is to afford a novel lampshade wherein ring members may be held on the upper and lower edge portions thereof in a novel and expeditious manner.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a novel lampshade embodying a novel hanger, and wherein the hanger may be quickly and easily assembled with, and disassembled from, the lampshade in a novel and expeditious manner.

An lancillary object is to afford a novel hanger for collapsible lampshades, and the like, wherein the parts thereof are constituted and arranged in a novel and expeditious manner. j A further object of my invention is to provide a novel lampshade of the aforementioned type embodying a novel body member which may 'be covered by any suitable covering material, and wherein the covering material may be quickly and easily removed and replaced for the purpose of washing, cleaning, or changing the material.

Another object is to provide a novel lampshade of the aforementioned type which is effective and practical in operation, -aiords an attractive appearance, and may be readily and economically produced commercially.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and claims, and are `illustrated in the accompanying drawings which, by way of illustration, show the preferred embodiment of the present invention `and the principles thereof, and what I now consider to be the best mode in which I have contemplated applying these principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles rn-ay be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention and the purview of the appended claims.

in the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective View of a lampshade embodying the principles of my invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 in FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken subst'antially along the line 4-4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view of a portion of the lampshade shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational View of the portion of the lampshade shown in FIG. 5;

F IG. 7 is an enlarged detail sectional view of a portion of the lampshade shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the portion of the lampshade shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a detail perspective view of a portion ofy the hanger of the lampshade shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. l0 is a top plan view of the base member of the body portion of the lampshade shown in FIG. l in unrolled, unassembled position, and with a protective cover sheet thereon;

FIG. ll is a top plan viewvof the body member of the lampshade shown in FIG. 1 in unrolled position, with the cover member attached to the base member, and with certain parts broken away to show underlying parts; and

FIG. l2 is an enlarged sectional View taken substantially Ialong the line 12-12 in FIG. 10.

j In the drawings a lampshade 1, embodying the principles of my invention, is shown to illustrate the preferred embodiment of my invention.

' The assembled lampshade 1, as shownl in FIG. l, em,- -bodies, in general, -a substantially cylindrical-shaped body member 2, on the upper and lower edge portions of which are mounted two `annular-shaped molding members or rings 3 and 4. A hanger 5, embodying a center ring or hub 6 and three legs 7, 8 and 9, which project radially outwardly from the center ring 6 in substantially equally spaced angular relation to each other, is mounted n the ring 3 in a manner which will be discussed in greater detail presently. The hanger 5 affords a mounting member by which the shade 1 may be supported on the lamp on which Ithe shade is to'be used.

The rings 3 and 4 and thehanger 5 may be made-of any suitable material such as, for example, steel, and the rings 3 and 4 of the lampshade 1 are identical inconstruction. g p .i

Each of the ringsY 3 and 4 is substantially channel..- shapedv in cross section and embodies an outer flange 10, an inner iiange 11 disposed in substantially parallel rela tion to the outer ange 10, and an intermediate portion 12 interconnecting and extending between the anges ,10 :and 11. The free edge` portion 13 of the inner angell of each of the rings 3 and 4 is turned inwardly, relative to the respective ring, to afford a lip or flange which projects inwardly frorn the ange 11 toward the ange 10, FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 7.

mounted a suitable cover member 15. The cover member 15 preferably may be readily mounted on and rcmoved from the base 14 as will -bediscussed in greater detail presently. r

The base 14 is in the form of a substantially rectangular-shaped sheet of material and, prior to assembly'in the lampshade is preferably flat as shown in FIG. l0'. It constitutes the principal supporting portion of the body member 2 and is semi-rigid in that it ispreferably self-supporting when disposed in the-position shown in FIG. 1,- but is suciently flexible that it may be readily moved between the curved shape shown in FIG; 1 and theflat shape shown in FIG. 11. .I prefer to construct the base 14 out of paperboard. However', other` suitable flexible semi-rigid materials such as, for example,

5 paper, parchment, Bristol board, metal, plastic, stilened The body member 2 of my novel lampshade 1, FIGS. l, 2 and ll, embodies a base member-.14 on which is fabrics, or the like, may be used without departing from the purview of my invention.

The rectangular-shaped base 1'4 has two end edges 16 and 17 and two side edges 18 and 19, FG. 11. A plurality of tabs 2i) and 21, which are preferably integral with the base member 14, project outwardly from the edges 18 and 19 thereof, respectively, in spaced relation to each other. When the base 14 is disposed in at position, as shown in FIG. l1, the tabs 2i) and 21 are disposed in uniplanar relation to each other, but when the base 14 is disposed in assembled position as shown in FIG. 1, the tabs 20 and 21 are disposed in inwardly folded relation to the remainder of the base 14, FIGS. 2 and 5, for a purpose which will be discussed in greater detail presently.

'Ihe base member 14 also has an outer face 22 and an inner face 23, FIG. 12, and the outer face 22 is coated with a suitable adhesive 24, FIGS. 2 and ll, for adhesively securing the cover member 15 to the outer face 22. l prefer to use a strongly adhering, readily usable adhesive,such as, for example, a suitable pressure sensitive adhesive or a heat sensitive adhesive of the thermoplastic type, for this purpose. Also, I prefer to coat the entire outer face 22 of the base 14, including the tabs and 21, with the adhesive 24. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes in this procedure may be made, such as, for example, coating the entire outer face 22 of the base 14, with the exception of the tabs 20 and 21, with the adhesive without departing from the purview of my invention.

In the manufacture of the lampshade 1, the base 14 may be cut to proper size and shape from suitable sheet material such as, for example, the aforementioned paperboard, and while the base 14 is still in flat position, the adhesive 24 may be applied to the outer face 22 thereof. A protective sheet 25, such as, for example, a suitable protective paper may be placed over the adhesive material 24 until the base 14 is to be used. At that time, the protective sheet 25 may be stripped from the adhesive to expose the latter.

In the construction of my novel lampsha'de 1, a base 14 may be placed in ilat position on a suitable table, or the like, with the adhesive 24 facing outwardly. The protective sheet 25 may be stripped from the adhesive 24, and a sheet offsuitable flexible material from which the cover member 15 is to be made, such as, for example, decorative fabric, paper, plastic, or other like materials, suitable for covering and decorating lampshades, may be placed on top of the base 14 in covering relation thereto and securely adhered to the adhesive material 24. The cover member 15 may then be trimmed off along the edges 16 19, to alofd a at body member 2 as shown in FIG. 1l. After the cover member 15 is thus secured to the outer face 22 of the base 14, the tabs .20 and 21 along the edges 18 and 19, respectively, of the base 14 may be bent inwardly toward the rear face 23, and the base 14 may be rolled into a cylindrical form corresponding in diameter to the diameter of the body member 2, with the cover member 1S disposed in outwardly facing relation, and with the end portions 16 and 17 of the base 14 disposed in overlapping relation to each other, FIG. 4. The ring 3 may then be slid downwardly over the upper edge of the thus formed body member 2, with the outer flange 10 thereof moving downwardly into juxtaposition to the outer face of the cover member 15, and the inner llange 11 moving downwardly past the downwardly turned tabs 20 to a position wherein the free edge 13 of the inner flange 11 moves downwardly past the lower edge of the tabs 20. This downward movement of the free edge 13 along the tabs 20 presses the latter inwardly toward the inner face 23 of the body member 2, and, when the free edge 13 moves past the lower ends of the tabs 20, the tabs 20 are thereby freed to spring outwardly into position wherein the free ends thereof are abuttingly and latchingly engaged with the upper face of the tree edge portion 13, FIGS. 2 and 3, in position to hold the ring 3 against upward movement ofi from the upper edge of the body member 2. rihe flanges 1d and 11 are spaced sufliciently far apart that they will move downwardly past the tabs 20, when the latter are folded substantially flat against the inner face 23 0f the base 14, but they are spaced suciently close together that, when the ring 3 is so disposed in assembled position on the upper edge of the body member 2, with the tabs 20 latchingly engaging the upper face of the free edge 13, the tabs 20 are restrained by the inner ange 1l from moving inwardly away from the inner face 23 of the base 14 beyond a downwardly projecting position, such as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, and in which position they are elective to hold the ring 3 against removal from the body member 2.

If at some later time, it is desired to remove the ring 3 from the body member 2, this may be readily accomplished by inserting a knife or other suitable instrument upwardly between the flange 11 and the body member 2, and running the knife, or the like, along the ring 3 into position to engage one of the tabs 26. The thus engaged tab 2i! may be pressed inwardly by the knife against the inner face 23 of the base 14 into position wherein the free edge portion 13 of the ring 3 may be moved upwardly past the lower edge of the tab 20. This operation may be repeated for each of the tabs 20, and the ring 3 thus freed from latohing engagement with the tabs 2G* for removal from the body member 2.

After the upper ring 3 has been mounted on the body member 2, the lower ring 4 may be similarly mounted on the lower edge portion thereof. In this instance, the tabs 21 along the lower edge 19 being folded upwardly toward the rear face 23 or the base 14, the lower ring 4 may then be mounted on the lower edge of the body member 2 in the same manner as heretofore discussed with respect to the upper ring 3, the ilange 13 of the lower ring 4 being latchingly engaged by the upwardly disposed free ends of the tabs 21 when the ring 4 is mounted in assembled position on the lower edge of the body member 2, as shown in FIG. 2.

lt wiil be remembered that the hanger 5 embodies a central body portion 6 from which three legs 7', and 9 project radially outwardly in spaced relation to each other. The legs 7, l3 and 9 may be in the form of wires, and each vembodies an upwardly turned'flat outer end portion 25 having a suitable inwardly projecting latching member or abutment member, such as, for example, a downwardly and inwardly projecting tongue 27 struck from the end portion 2o. The legs 7 9 are preferably made from steel, or the like, and the body members 26 and the tongues 27 are preferably of such size that they may be moved upwardly and downwardly between the body member 2 and the iiange 13 on the ring 3 with a relatively snug tit. The legs 7 9 are of such length that with the ring 6 disposed on the axial center line of the ring 3 and below the plane of the ring 3, the legs 7 9 terminate at their outer ends in closely adjacent, spaced relation to the inner face of the body member 2, with the tongues 27 disposed in vertical alignment with the ilange 13 on the ring 3. To move the hanger 5 into assembled position in the ring 3, one of the end portions 26 may rst be moved upwardly into the ring 3 into the position shown in FIG. 7, wherein the tongue 27 therein is disposed above the ilange 13. Thereafter, the ring 3 may be successively sprung inwardly opposite each of the other two of the legs 7 9 a distance suiiicient to permit the end portion 26 to be similarly moved upwardly into the position shown in FIG. 7. With the hanger 5 thus disposed in assembled position in the ring 5, the tongues 27 on each of the legs 7 9 are disposed above the liange 13 in position to latchingly engage the latter and hold the hanger 5 against removal from the ring 3. Subsequently, if it is desired to remove the hanger 5 from the ring 3, this may be readily accomplished by springingl the ring 3 inwardly a suicient distance to permit the end portion 26 and tongues 27 to be moved downwardly between `the body member 2 and the ange 13.

After the base 14 and its cover member 15 have been curved into proper shape to afford the body member., the end portions 16 and 17 of the body member2 may be suitably secured together such as, for example, by applying a strip of tape 28, having adhesive material on both faces thereof, between the overlapped ends 16 and 17, as shown in FIGS. l and 4.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the tape 28 shown herein as holding the overlapped ends 16 and 17 of the body member 2 in overlapped relation is merely by way of illustration and not by way of limitation, and that other devices may be used for this purposewithout departing from the purview of my invention.

It will be seen that with the rings 3 and 4 mounted on the body member 2, and with the hanger disposed in supporting position in the ring 3, a complete, practical lampshade is afforded, which is attractive in appearance, and wherein the outer surface of the body member thereof may be composed of any suitable material.

Such a shade may be sold or shipped in knocked-down condition in a substantially flat package which is no thicker than is necessary to contain the rings 3 and 4, the base 14, and a sheet of material for the cover member 15. In such a package, the rings 3 and 4, the sheet of material, and the base 14 may be stacked in flat parallel relation to each other, with the hanger 5 disposed in mounted position in the ring 3, so as to conserve space, or the materials from which my novel lampshade 1 is formed may be packaged with the base 14 and the sheet material for the cover member disposed in rolled form. In any event, it will be seen that the lampshade 1 may be shipped in a relatively small package, and the parts thereof may be quickly and easily assembled into a completed lampshape by the average housewife, or like person, who has had little or no previous experience in the construction or assembly of lampshades.

' If the person to whom the shade 1 is furnished desires to use a cover member having a different decorative appearance from that of the cover member furnished with the shade, such a change may be readily made by cutting to proper size a sheet of any desired material suitable for use as the cover member 15 and substituting the latter for the cover material furnished with the shade.

Also, with my novel invention, if, after the shade 1 is assembled it is desired to disassemble the shade for the purpose of cleaning the cover mem-ber 15 or replacingV the latter, or the like, this may be readily accomplished. To accomplish this, the tabs 2o and 21 may be sprung inwardly by a knife -or other suitable instrument, and the rings `3 and l4 removed therefrom, as previously discussed. `If desired, the hanger 5 may be removed from the ring 3 either before the latter is removed from the body member 2, or after the ring 3 is removed from the body member 2, by springing the ring 3 inwardly to thereby free the tongues 27 from latching engagement with the free edge portion 13 of the inner iiange 11 of the ring 3, as previously discussed. After the rings 3 and 4 have been removed from the body member 2, the tape 28, if such was used on the shade 1, may be removed and the body member 2 may be opened out into fiat position as shown in FIG. ll. The cover member 15 may then be stripped from the base 14. The principal portion of the adhesive 24, in many instances, will remain on the outer face 22 of the base 14, so that it is available to subsequently attach the thus removed cover member 15, after the latter has been cleaned, or to attach a replacement cover' 15, if such is desired. If desired, another coating of suitable adhesive may be applied to the outer face 22 before replacing the cover member l5. In replacing the cover member 15, the steps may be followed as previously described in assembling the shade 1.

' AIn the event that a heat sensitive adhesive of the thermoplastic type is used as the adhesive 24, the cover member 15 may be secured to or released from the adhesive by suitably applying the usual household electric iron to the cover member 15 during the assembly of the cover member r15 on the-base 14 or during the disassembly thereof.

Also, my novel lampshade is so constructed that the same parts may be readily used in producing various size shades, and that such parts may be readily furnished to a customer in such a manner as to enable the customer to easily construct a shade of any one of several sizes.

Thus, for example, when a cover sheet, such as the sheet 25, is used on the base 14, additional side edge margins, such as upper side edges 18a and 18b and lower side edges 19a and 1917, complete with tabs 20a20b, 21a and 21b, respectively, may be printed or otherwise suitably indicated on the outer face of the sheet 25, as shown in broken lines in FIG. 10. The new side edges may be disposed in parallel relation to the outer edges 18 and 19 and may be spaced from each other the desired distance to afford shades of various heights using the same rings 3 and 4, the same hanger 5, and the same overall blank for the base 14.

Thus, for example, assume that the side edges 18 and 19 of the base 14 are disposed eighteen inches apart and the s ide edges v18a and 18b are disposed inwardly a distance of one inch and two inches, respectively, from the edge 18a, and the edges 19a and 19b are similarly located relative to the edge 19. With the blank 14 so marked, the person assembling the shade may readily aiord a body member 2 having a height of seventeen inches or sixteen inches by trimming the base 14 along either the lines 18a or 19a, or the lines 18bor 19h, respectively.- Also, a body member 2, which isiifteen inches high,'may be afforded by cutting the base 1 4 along either the line 18a or 19a, and along the line 19]; or 18b. Similarly, a body member 2, which is fourteen inches high, may be afforded by cutting the base.14 along the lines 18b and 19b.

It will be seen that in each instance, the base aorded embodies latching tabs 20, 20a or 2Gb, and 21, 21a or 2lb, respectively, along the upper and lower edges thereof, so that the rings 3 and 4 may be attached to the upper and lower edges of the body member 2, which is thus afforded.

The protective sheet 25 affords a practical area on which to mark such'outlines of other base members 14, because it is stripped from the base member 14 before the cover member 15 is disposed thereon and, therefore, there need be no underlying lines on the completed base 14, which might be visible through the cover member 15 in the completed body member 2.

When adhesives other than pressure sensitive adhesives, such as, for example, the aforementioned heat sensitive material are used, which do not normally require a protective sheet, it may be desirable to afford a separate pattern sheet which may be laid over the base 14 and which has the outlines of the selection of various size base members marked thereon. With this construction, the person assembling the lampshade 1 could first lay the pattern sheet in proper position on the base 14 and then both the pattern and the base 14 along the proper mes.

Also, it will be seen that my invention is not limited to the construction of cylindrical-shaped lampshades and that lampshades of other shapes such as, for example, those in the shape of truncated cones may be afforded thereby. Thus, for example, by marking the cover sheet 25 on the base 14 with properly upwardly and inwardly sloping pairs of end edges, such as the end edges `16d and 17a, extending between the side edges 18e and 19o, as shown in FIG. l0, ya base 14 having an upper edge which is smaller than the lower edge is afforded. When the base 14 is so marked, I prefer to have one edge, such as the edge 19h, FIG. l0, the same length as the sides 18 and 19, so that one of the rings 3 or 4 may be used on one edge of such a body member. With this arrangement it will be seen that, if desired, the parts for assembling my novel lampshade may be marketed in sets with each set embodying a full size base 14, and a pair of rings 3 and 4 of the size necessary for making a shade of the desired size and shape. Also, the parts may be stocked and sold individually. No matter which combination is used, latching tabs are afforded on the upper and lower edges of the base, and the parts lend themselves to quick and easy assembly even by persons who have had no previous experience in making lampshades.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have afforded a novel, practical lampshade.

Also, I have afforded a lampshade which may be shipped in knocked-down condition in a relatively small package, and may be quickly and easily assembled even by inexperienced persons.

In addition, it will be seen that I have afforded such a novel lampshade, which can be quickly and easily disas sembled for repairs, cleaning, or replacement of the cover member.

Also, it will be seen that I have afforded a novel lampshade wherein the various parts thereof are held in assembled relation to each other, and are constituted and arranged relative to each other, in a novel and expeditious manner.

Also, I have afforded such a lampshade which may be readily and economically produced commercially.

Thus, while I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that these are capable of variation and modification, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details'set forth, but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.`

I claim:

l. A lampshade comprising upper and lower ring members, each of said ring members being substantially channel-shaped in cross section and having an inner flange and an outer flange, each of said inner anges hav ing a free edge portion projecting inwardly relative to the channel-shaped cross section of the respective ring of which said inner flange is a part at an acute angle to the remainder of said inner ange, and a body member comprising an elongated base of semi-rigid sheet material ilexible between a at position and an annular position and having two end edges, two side edges, and an inner face and an outer face, adhesive material on said outer face, a cover member of flexible sheet material mounted on said base in juxtaposition to said outer face and adhesively secured thereto by said adhesive material, said ring members being mounted on said body member with said outer flanges thereof disposed in engagement with the portions of said cover member disposed along respec-v tive ones of said side edges of said base, and with said inner flanges disposed inwardly of said inner face, said base having tabs projecting from said side edges and folded inwardly therefrom at an acute angle to said inner face into abutting engagement with said free edge portions of said inner flanges between said inner flanges and said body member, said tabs being flexibly attached to said side edges in such a manner as to tend to move into alignment with said base and to releasably hold said rings on said body member, and hanger means, including a central supporting member and a plurality of radially extending arms connected to said upper ring member, for supporting said body member.

2. A lampshade comprising upper and lower ring members, each of said ring members being substantially channel-shaped in cross-section and having an inner ange and an outer flange, a flexible annular body member having upper and lower side edges, and inner and outer faces, said upper and lower ring members being mounted on said upper and lower edges, respectively, with said outer flanges disposed in engagement with said outer face, and said inner anges disposed inwardly of said inner face, said inner flanges having free edge portions projecting at an acute angle to the remainder thereof toward said inner face, said body member having tabs integral with said body member, said tabs being folded inwardly from said edges and projecting inwardly at an acute angle to said inner face, said tabs being flexibly connected to said body member in such a manner as to tend to move toward alignment with said body member, said tabs being disposed between said inner face and said inner flanges and releasably abuttingly engaged with said free edge portions of said inner anges in position to hold said rings on said edges, and hanger means, including a central supporting member and a plurality of radially projecting arms connected to said upper ring member, for supporting said body member.

3. A lampshade as defined in claim 2, and in which said arms of said hanger have outer free end portions releasably secured' between said upper ring member and said upper edge of said body member, and in which said arms have tabs releasably abuttingly engaging said free edge portions of said inner flanges.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,475,405 Rousselle July 5, 1949 2,483,354 Stilfel Sept. 27, 1949 2,585,248 Johnson Feb. 12, 1952 2,607,886 Weltsch Aug. 19, 1952 2,749,636 Viglietta June l2, 1956 2,819,386 Linderoth Ian. 7, 1958 

